Apollo Quote by Abraham Cowley
“Coy Nature, (which remain'd, though aged grown, A beauteous virgin still, enjoy'd by none, Nor seen unveil'd by anyone), When Harvey's violent passion she did see, Began to tremble and to flee; Took sanctuary, like Daphne, in a tree: There Daphne's Lover stopped, and thought it much The very leaves of her to touch: But Harvey, our Apollo, stopp'd not so; Into the Bark and Root he after her did go!”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Tragedy of Harvey and Daphne, 1656
Harvey's relentless desire forces Daphne to flee, seeking refuge in nature, highlighting the clash between violent passion and innocence.
In simple terms: Aggressive love drives the innocent to escape.
Key Takeaway
Respect boundaries and temper desire.
Themes
passion
violence
innocence
escape
Mood
tragic
tense
Type
literary
mythic
When to use this quote
- romantic pursuits
- personal safety
- ethical dilemmas
- power dynamics
Key Concepts
mythology
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits should passion respect?
- How can we protect the vulnerable from aggressive advances?
A Different Perspective
The poem romanticizes the pursuer, ignoring the victim's autonomy.
